How to Charge a Tello Drone: In the Drone, With the Hub, and Battery Care
You can charge a Tello battery in two ways. The simplest is in the drone: leave the battery fitted, switch the drone off and plug a micro-USB cable into the port on the side, connected to a USB charger. The other is the Tello Battery Charging Hub, which holds three of the 1100 mAh, 3.8 V batteries and charges them one after another, highest voltage first; with a 5 V / 2 A adapter, all three take about two hours. The hub doesn’t include a power adapter, so use a good-quality USB charger.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
Charging in the drone
- Make sure the drone is switched off.
- Insert the battery fully until it clicks.
- Plug a micro-USB cable into the port on the drone’s side.
- Connect the cable to a USB wall charger (5 V, at least 1 A; 2 A is quicker).
- Watch the status light: it changes when charging is complete.
- Unplug when finished; don’t leave it plugged in for days.
What the lights mean is explained in how to know when a Tello is fully charged.
Using the charging hub
The official three-bay hub lets you charge spare batteries outside the drone. Batteries are charged in sequence, starting with the one with the highest voltage, so the first is ready sooner and the last finishes after all the others. Each slot has an indicator: solid when that battery is full. Third-party hubs with four bays or screens exist too; use ones from reputable sellers made for Tello batteries.
| Method | Batteries | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| In the drone | 1 | Roughly 1–1.5 hours, depending on charger |
| Official hub, 5 V / 2 A adapter | 3 | About 2 hours for all three |
Times are approximate and depend on the adapter and how empty the batteries are.
Choosing a USB adapter
The Tello charges from standard 5 V USB power. A phone charger or computer port works but may be slow; a 2 A adapter is a good choice. Very cheap adapters can deliver less than advertised or overheat. Avoid charging from low-power ports on old computers if you want reasonable times. Power banks work in the field, which is handy for outdoor sessions.
Battery care
- Let the battery cool after flying before charging.
- Charge on a non-flammable surface and don’t leave it unattended.
- Store batteries partly charged (around half) if not used for weeks.
- Don’t run batteries completely flat; land when the app warns.
- Retire swollen or damaged batteries.
- Keep batteries out of hot cars and direct sun.
Charging problems
- No light when plugged in: try another cable and adapter; check the port for dirt.
- Battery won’t charge: a deeply discharged or old battery may not recover; replace it.
- Charges but short flights: the battery has aged; flight time drops over many cycles.
- Drone won’t connect after charging: see why a Tello won’t connect.
More flying per session
A Tello flies for a limited time per battery, so most owners buy two or three spares and the hub. Rotating batteries gives each one time to cool before charging, which also extends their life. Label them to keep track of age and cycles.
Travelling with Tello batteries
Airlines generally allow small lithium batteries like the Tello’s in carry-on luggage, not checked bags. Check your airline’s rules before flying.
FAQ
Can I charge the Tello battery in the drone?
Yes, with the drone off, via the micro-USB port.
How long does a Tello take to charge?
Around 1–1.5 hours in the drone; the hub does three in about two hours.
Does the hub come with a charger?
No, use a separate USB adapter.
Can I fly while charging?
No, unplug before flying.
More on this topic: the complete RC Drones guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
